Starting 11/01/21: we are offering in-person sessions in addition to virtual sessions. Please reach out to us for more info!
(917) 740-5287

Empowering Asian communities to take control of their mental health

Each Asian community has unique lived experiences that deserve to be designed with their needs in mind. 

Empowering Asian communities to take control of their mental health

Each Asian community has unique lived experiences that deserve to be designed with their needs in mind.

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Mental health stigma

Asian Americans are the least likely population to seek mental health services. Coming from cultures where needs are thought to be met within the family and community, seeking treatment doesn’t have to be a rejection of cultural norms – it is a human need in the present moment where loss, failure, and grief are experienced by everyone.

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A familiar feeling

Seeking treatment shouldn’t have to feel so unfamiliar. Your mental health journey should be one that allows you to be your full self where you can express yourself without feelings of judgment or misunderstanding. Our services aim to feel like we are part of your community by offering the opportunity to work with providers of similar identities and shared languages (such as Mandarin, Marathi, and more to come).

A familiar feeling

Seeking treatment shouldn’t have to feel so unfamiliar. Your mental health journey should be one that allows you to be your full self where you can express yourself without feelings of judgment or misunderstanding. Our services aim to feel like we are part of your community by offering the opportunity to work with providers of similar identities and shared languages (such as Mandarin, Marathi, and more to come).

Digital image of a person's head with wheels spinning inside. This image illustrates how working with a psychiatric nurse practitioner and therapist in New York City can get your mind healthy. 10001 | 10002 | 10010
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Simplifying the process

Getting started can oftentimes be the most difficult step, so we want to make the process as simple as possible. We eliminate barriers to starting and receiving care by offering high-quality services, not having long wait lists, and having options for financial aid that may include certain insurances or sliding scale.

Services

Therapy

Therapy is beneficial and effective when it’s in a trusted space. Especially if therapy may be a new experience, it is important for you to feel at ease and connected to your therapist. Whether talk therapy, cognitive behavioral, or psychodynamic, you and your therapist will work together to come up with an approach that is comfortable to you.

Medication management

We are thoughtful about medication because we know that some psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects may present differently in people of Asian descent than other populations. We believe that medication is only one component of a holistic experience that may include other strategies such as therapy, sleep, nutrition, cultural remedies, and more.

Therapy + medication

At times when medication is helpful, adding in therapy is more effective than either therapy or medicine by itself. This combined approach helps people heal faster, and then decreasing sessions or medications could be an option after symptoms improve. You can start with therapy and then add medication or vice versa, or do both simultaneously.

Groups

Groups of people from common backgrounds can be healing and can make group therapy more comfortable and effective. For people of Asian descent, we offer groups for international students, immigrants, and young adults. Please let us know if you are interested in any of these topics or a different topic!

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Services

Therapy

Therapy is beneficial and effective when it’s in a trusted space. Especially if therapy may be a new experience, it is important for you to feel at ease and connected to your therapist. Whether talk therapy, cognitive behavioral, or psychodynamic, you and your therapist will work together to come up with an approach that is comfortable to you.

Medication management

We are thoughtful about medication because we know that some psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects may present differently in people of Asian descent than other populations. We believe that medication is only one component of a holistic experience that may include other strategies such as therapy, sleep, nutrition, cultural remedies, and more.

Therapy + medication

At times when medication is helpful, adding in therapy is more effective than either therapy or medicine by itself. This combined approach helps people heal faster, and then decreasing sessions or medications could be an option after symptoms improve. You can start with therapy and then add medication or vice versa, or do both simultaneously.

Groups

Groups of people from common backgrounds can be healing and can make group therapy more comfortable and effective. For people of Asian descent, we offer groups for international students, immigrants, and young adults. Please let us know if you are interested in any of these topics or a different topic!

Who we work with

Students

Immigrants

American-born

Multiracial

FAQs about our mental health services for Asian communities

What groups of Asians or Asian Americans do you work with?

While we are not exclusive to only certain groups, here are some groups of people we frequently work with: South Asian, Chinese (both Mandarin- and English-speaking), other East Asian groups.

What are the factors that put Asian Americans at risk?

There are many societal factors that place a heavy burden on Asian Americans, making them more susceptible to mental illness: racism, racial bias and discrimination, racial stereotypes and profiling, language barriers, and immigration status and other immigration-related trauma. When mental health issues do present, unfamiliarity with mental health and also stigma towards mental health contribute to worsening symptoms. Asian Americans are less likely to self-report certain symptoms such as a depressed mood​​ without being directly asked – this is one reason why mental health education is so important so that community members can be aware and seek preventative measures before becoming high-risk for mental illness. 

Why is it that people of Asian descent respond to medicine differently than other groups?

Medicines are metabolized by enzymes in our livers. Specific medicines are metabolized by specific enzymes, so a person may have a fast metabolism of one medicine but a slow metabolism of another. Asians tend to have particular alleles that are associated with slow metabolism of medicines by certain liver enzymes, so they may need lower doses of certain medicines. The types of liver enzymes can also be associated with certain side effects of medicine, putting Asians at higher risk of certain side effects if they carry certain alleles.

Is it important for Asian Americans to work with clinicians from similar backgrounds?

Yes, it can be very important for some people. Research shows that people from BIPOC communities tend to not only have a better subjective experience when treated by people from similar backgrounds, but they also may show greater improvement.

Can symptoms look different in Asians and Asian Americans than in other populations?

Yes – Asian Americans are more likely to express psychological distress as physical symptoms, such as indigestion, poor appetite, and heart palpitations. Instead of seeking mental health treatment, the person may initially visit a primary care doctor. However, it is important to seek treatment from a mental health provider who specializes in psychiatry to properly address these symptoms.

 

What if I don’t want to involve my family?

Especially because mental health stigma can be so prevalent in many Asian communities, we take special care to ensure that your treatment with us is 100% confidential. If you are a minor, we will need to have some interaction with a parent/legal guardian, but we will be sure to maintain confidentiality by not revealing anything from sessions. 

What if I do want to involve my family?

For some people, you might feel more comfortable having a family member be involved in your care. In this case, we are happy to coordinate with you and your family member(s) as much as you’d like so that your treatment with us can feel as integrated and supported as possible.

Get started with mental health treatment in New York City today!

One of our skilled therapists is ready to meet you when you’re ready to begin. The team at our practice located in New York City provides an array of services to meet your mental health needs. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, psychosis, trauma or PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or ASD, you’ve come to the right place. Our team provides multiple forms of treatment, including therapy and psychiatric consultations both online and in person! Schedule a visit or an intro call with us to help you figure out the right fit for your treatment.

Get started with mental health treatment in New York City today!

One of our skilled therapists is ready to meet you when you’re ready to begin. The team at our practice located in New York City provides an array of services to meet your mental health needs. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, psychosis, trauma or PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or ASD, you’ve come to the right place. Our team provides multiple forms of treatment, including therapy and psychiatric consultations both online and in person! Schedule a visit or an intro call with us to help you figure out the right fit for your treatment.